On the go and no time to finish that story right now? Your News is the place for you to save content to read later from any device. Register with us and content you save will appear here so you can access them to read later.

Related articles:

Mr Waye and Miss Martin had been together for 18 years and were "sweethearts".

Miss Mason said he loved heavy metal music, the outdoors and animals.

"He was rough on the outside with a heart of gold on the inside."

Initially training and working as a chef, Mr Waye got into farming when Sam was young and Miss Mason said it was a natural fit for him.

"He couldn't stay inside, he couldn't be indoors and do nothing."

Miss Mason said his job at the Reporoa farm was a dream role for him and he was excited for Miss Martin to give up work in Rotorua and help out on the farm.

"They were so happy but they only got four weeks of it."

She said only last week they were talking about how they were going to become a "crazy cat family" - a reference to Mr Waye's love of animals especially the cat he had rescued, who disliked everyone but him.

"He'd get home and Gucci would meow and go to sleep in his lap."

Miss Mason said his kindness and generosity extended to those less fortunate than him and he would often stop and buy homeless people food.

"He genuinely is one of the good guys. He's one of the nicest, caring, giving people you would ever come across."

Miss Mason said Mr Waye had a huge sense of humour - with the family, especially Mr Waye and Sam, playing practical jokes on each other.

She said he was a "Ford and V8 junkie".

He liked politics, the solar system and was always up for a "healthy debate".

Miss Martin had just given up her job to move to the farm, with Mr Waye excited about being the provider so she could stay home and help out on the farm when needed.

"We need to get them relocated to be with family and get them the support they need."

Miss Mason said the focus now was on helping the family and a Givealittle page had been set up to help support Miss Martin and Sam financially, as they were likely to move to be closer to family.